Starting in 2011 The Kids Research Institute Australia working in partnership with the Rural Clinical School of WA (RCSWA) and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA) commenced a joint process to establishing a WA Aboriginal Health Knowledge Network (the Network).
The original goal was to establish a Network comprised of four regional sites to facilitate key medical, research and training activities undertaken in partnership with Aboriginal communities.
Since that time the partnership group has continued to progress exploring the interest and funding to establish the Network. The Network aims to adequately resource Aboriginal communities to secure a stronger healthier future by influencing policy with evidence based research that is developed according to their own priorities and participation.
This model currently does not exist in Western Australia.
In fact much Aboriginal research continues to be determined and undertaken by those living outside of the communities and who are not the most affected by these issues. This has led to research, polices, programs and services that are not necessarily reflective of the priorities of Aboriginal communities and do not harness and support local knowledge and community control.
A more sustainable approach is required that focuses on Aboriginal peoples’ inherent strengths and ability to identify the best ways to understand and improve their health outcomes and control the research process.
The importance accorded local knowledge, community engagement and participation are the key principles of the Network. It advocates that the suitability and relevance of any research agenda, and the effectiveness of any strategies and interventions must be aligned with and actively engage with Aboriginal people’s knowledge and understanding of their communities’ needs.
Ultimately, the Network seeks to provide Aboriginal families with the means to participate in the entire research journey, so they benefit.
The West Australian Aboriginal Health Knowledge Network (the Network) is a partnership between key organisations whose aim is to improve the benefits that flow from Aboriginal families’ participation in the research journey. The Network provides a framework for people to invest wisely in Aboriginal health research.
The Network - Objectives
The Network will facilitate the development of research processes and research projects that bring together Aboriginal families, researchers and the policy makers together to;
- Build the capability of Aboriginal Research; Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.
- Improve community ability to access and use all administrative related data i.e., education, housing, corrective services and health.
- Improve research capacity building; by giving people the opportunity to acquire the skills to understand a range of scenarios.
- Broker cross-sectoral partnerships.
- Improve the way community influences Government policy planning and program implementation.
The Network is intended to be a system and infrastructure to support control of the local or regional Aboriginal health research. While the Network’s 4 sites will not be a one size fits all model, it is anticipated that each will have:
- A local research advisory committee;
- Genuine partnerships with local Aboriginal community controlled health organisations;
- Research and training facilities supported by first class research and training expertise;
- A locally grown health research workforce established through immersion in all stages of research, skills development, training and mentoring;
- A community set research agenda;
- Established culturally secure research methodologies that translate at the local, regional and state level;
- Research infrastructure, to support and protect data collection; and,
- Capacity to draw upon and support national and international research collaborations.
Following discussions in 2014 and reconfirmed in 2015, Broome has been identified as the first site for the Network.
It was agreed to co-locate the Broome hub with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service and discussions have continued with a locally established working group which has included discussions with Lotterywest to help establish the Broome site.